I stood in the middle of a glass box - water started to rush in. It filled the box until there was only an inch of air left at the top; I needed to break through the glass to my freedom. I was forced to stay in the box until I figured a way out; this was my life. My parents were the box and their rules combined with my stress and anxiety, was the water. What my parents say is not to be challenged. I was depressed and anxiety consumed me.I continuously asked for help but the entire time I was drowning, no one could hear me. I began skiing fourteen years ago at the age of two. On top of school work and the stress from skiing, I was beyond miserable. My dad is not the type of person you can stand up to; it’s his way or no way. I have always kept
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The next day, I woke to my mom telling me that they’d purchased a house and I’d be attending a winter term there. I panicked, knowing once we moved there my anxiety would be through the roof. For the past year I had tried conveying the message to my dad that I had bigger dreams than becoming a ski racer. I spent three days at the new school before gathering the courage to stand up to my dad. I talked to my coach about how I was feeling and he fully supported me. He told me, “It’s going to get worse, before it gets better,” I try to remember this whenever I have a struggle or setback. I explained to my dad that skiing wasn’t my passion anymore and just because I lost the love for one thing, doesn’t mean I don’t have the determination to pursue other things. He told me I was a being irrational and that if I stopped skiing I would regret it for the rest of my life. He also told me that if I came home I could never set foot on a mountain again. I didn’t realize standing up for myself involved being punished but I wasn’t going to let myself suffer for five months so I agreed to his terms. The adults in my life told me how proud of me they were for finding the courage to do what I did but I didn’t feel like I deserved their praise; it felt as if I ruined our family. This of course, was false and I knew my dad just needed time to accept my decision. At
The next day, I woke to my mom telling me that they’d purchased a house and I’d be attending a winter term there. I panicked, knowing once we moved there my anxiety would be through the roof. For the past year I had tried conveying the message to my dad that I had bigger dreams than becoming a ski racer. I spent three days at the new school before gathering the courage to stand up to my dad. I talked to my coach about how I was feeling and he fully supported me. He told me, “It’s going to get worse, before it gets better,” I try to remember this whenever I have a struggle or setback. I explained to my dad that skiing wasn’t my passion anymore and just because I lost the love for one thing, doesn’t mean I don’t have the determination to pursue other things. He told me I was a being irrational and that if I stopped skiing I would regret it for the rest of my life. He also told me that if I came home I could never set foot on a mountain again. I didn’t realize standing up for myself involved being punished but I wasn’t going to let myself suffer for five months so I agreed to his terms. The adults in my life told me how proud of me they were for finding the courage to do what I did but I didn’t feel like I deserved their praise; it felt as if I ruined our family. This of course, was false and I knew my dad just needed time to accept my decision. At